ADL Update on the Tragedy in Poway from Regional Director Nancy Baron-Baer

  • April 30, 2019

ADL staff continues to tirelessly monitor the situation in Poway, CA and provide support for the community.  We have reached out to law enforcement, synagogues, teachers and community members with our resources.

USA Today just ran an op-ed by ADL SVP, Program, George Selim (printed just before the Poway shooting) on the rise of white supremacy. George writes, “The numbers don’t lie. At the Anti-Defamation League, our experts have been tracking these trends for decades. In 2018, we found that of the 50 murders committed by extremists, 49 of those came at the hands of right-wing extremists, with white supremacists alone accounting for 39 of those murders.” Read the article here.

How you can help:

For those who wish to learn more about the incident in Poway, CA and rise of white supremacy, the following links provide useful background:

Additionally, the following links provide helpful resources for discussing the tragedy with children and students:

As much as we’re focused on events in southern California, we’re not taking our eye off the ball in terms of other manifestations of anti-Semitism. Just yesterday, Jonathan Greenblatt, our CEO, spoke out publicly in response to the offensive anti-Semitic political “cartoon” published in The New York Times International Edition. “I wouldn’t even credit it as a cartoon,” Greenblatt said. “It was anti-Semitic propaganda of the most vile sort. Not only does it not belong in The New York Times, but in any credible news outlet. It was unconscionable.” Read more here.

Jonathan has been in continuous communication with the leadership of the paper and posted some additional thoughts on Twitter: “The offensive image @nytimes published was #antiSemitic propaganda of the most vile sort. This type of content normalizes #antiSemitism by reinforcing tropes of Jewish control, and does so at a time when #antiSemitism is surging.” He also called the publication, which has since responded with an apology. Greenblatt made clear that “an overdue apology is a start but, as we mourn for #Poway, it’s insufficient. New procedures obviously are needed but @nytimes must do more. For starters: – Sensitivity training for their staff on #antiSemitism – Educate readers on the persistent poison of anti-Jewish hate.” Read more here. 

We will continue to keep you updated on these incidents.

Best regards,

Nancy K. Baron-Baer
Regional Director